A chief concern is how climate change and sea level rise may affect marsh habitats, subsequently increasing mosquito production. Also of concern is how past physical alterations meant to reduce mosquito habitat affect the ability of salt marshes to maintain their relative elevation, and, as a result, their long term resiliency in the face of sea level rise. Recognizing the valuable role that salt marshes play in buffering coastal communities, coastal decision-makers are increasingly advocating for the restoration of salt marshes. While the thin-layer application of dredge spoil is of increasing interest as a way to help marshes keep up with rising sea levels, it could also greatly affect mosquito production. In this project, mosquito control agencies and other land management partners are working together to design and implement a marsh research program that informs future mosquito control management actions.

Thousands of salt marsh mosquito pupae!

Some of the sites are only reachable by boat

Aedes sollicitans trying their hardest

Brian Johnson and Scott Ritchie

Prof. Rick Lathrop, CRSSA

Brian, Scott (visiting) and Rick Lathrop

Mike Kennish and his team in the marsh

The remote sensing and mosquito team working together in the salt marsh